A Federal Ministry official, Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, is at the center of a case that exposes alleged systemic abuse of Nigeria’s payroll system.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) brought her before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on the 12th of May, 2025.
She faces a three-count charge.
The Allegations:
• The ICPC says she forged a letter of posting dated “20th January, 1998, with Reference No. HCSF/CMO/EMD/AOD/013/1/3,” which was supposedly issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
• Investigators allege that every document she submitted—posting instruction, gazette, appointment letter, and confirmation letter—was fake.
• She held the title of Principal Administrative Officer at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
• A verification check at the Federal Civil Service Commission reportedly found no trace of her records.
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The ICPC also revealed that she ignored an investigative panel invitation from the Head of Service. As a result, her salary was suspended in November 2021. But by January 2022, she allegedly bypassed protocol and illegally restored her salary using her access as a role player on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
Count One:
The court heard that “you, Oluwafunmilayo Esther (F), on or about 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to commit fraud, did forge a document to wit: a posting letter dated 17th June 2021, with Reference No.HCSF/CMO/EMD/002/S.12/T.4.110, purportedly emanating from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, bearing your name, Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, and six (6) others; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the FCT.”
She pleaded “not guilty.”
Bail Conditions:
Her lawyer, Chima Okason, asked the court to release her on bail.
The ICPC’s counsel, Olubunmi Ayo, did not oppose the request.
Justice Halilu agreed to bail under strict conditions:
• She must provide two credible sureties, both current federal civil service directors in FCT-based parastatals.
• These sureties must submit proof of first and most recent promotions, which will be verified.
• They must also sign a written undertaking accepting to be detained if the defendant skips bail.
The case will resume on the 8th of July, 2025, when trial proceedings begin.